At Monday night’s North Fork Chamber of Commerce “Meet the Candidates” forum at the Southold American Legion, voters got a sweeping look at this year’s town races — from the Southold Board of Trustees race to those vying for the offices of town clerk, highway superintendent, town justice and tax assessor. The event, moderated by chamber member Eric Dantes, mixed formal questions with one-minute “elevator pitch” closings, spotlighting how differently each contender defines public service and problem-solving.

While the Town Board race has dominated headlines, the trustee and administrative races drew an equally engaged audience — reflecting how deeply Southold’s working waterfront, zoning overhaul and property assessments shape daily life on the North Fork. Questions focused on stewardship, modernization and fairness.

‘Above and beyond’

Question: “The trustees are responsible for processing permits for docks, bulkheads and structures within 100 feet of the bluff or wetlands. Former trustee the Honorable Charles Sanders led the way for those shellfish signage on trustee-regulating water bodies. How will you, if elected, put in the extra effort? What will your contribution be that’s above and beyond just the basic job description?”

Republican Terri Boyle Romanelli offered a sweeping biography to explain “why I think I’m uniquely suited to answer this question.” She said her lifelong relationship with the water and decades navigating zoning laws shaped her understanding of waterfront challenges. She recalled buying her first boat in her 20s and spending summers “sailing the waters from Peconic to Montauk to Block Island to Fishers Island to Newport.” After 20 years as a licensed real estate agent, she said she’s seen “how hard it is to figure out the codes” and how often new homeowners “aren’t really familiar with them.” Romanelli, who has served on the North Fork Environmental Council and Long Island Farm Bureau, said she would apply her background in technology and business management to “streamline and modernize how [the trustees] do business.” “I know how to make complex systems work better and faster and smarter,” she said, adding that she’d make it easier for residents to access coastal permitting resources online.

Democratic incumbent Liz Gillooly said her four years as trustee have focused on process, education and advocacy. “Issuing permits is core to what the trustees do, and it’s complex,” she said. “Each project requires understanding the code, assessing environmental impacts in the field and balancing property rights with public access and coastal resilience.” She highlighted her work on redesigning the application system and creating “a checklist… to make things more transparent and user-friendly.” Gillooly also cited her role helping the Conservation Advisory Council produce a homeowner’s guide and praised the removal of “over 40 outfalls that used to have road runoff going directly into our bays.” She said, “Making the extra effort means building systems that last, engaging residents and working together. Trustees don’t just manage what’s in front of us — we lead with purpose and protect Southold’s future.”

Zoning update

Question: “The town is currently undertaking a zoning update. The trustees are environmental stewards. What has been or what should the trustees’ role in the town’s current zoning update be, and how can trustee involvement spur the development of the next generation and future businesses here in Southold Town?”

Democratic incumbent Eric Sepenoski introduced himself as a fourth-generation farmer and member of a family long tied to Southold’s marina industry. “Part of this town’s history is my history, as it is all of yours,” he said. While noting that the zoning overhaul “doesn’t really touch our code,” Sepenoski urged town leaders to “carefully consider and balance working waterfront and hotels with respect to that M-2 zoning.” He said trustees have made major strides in setbacks and natural buffers that “help mitigate pollutants and capture nutrients,” and pledged to “make that process smoother, more comprehensible” while continuing to “work hard for every Southolder who calls this place home.”

Republican Pindar Damianos described himself as “a farmer, a father and a business owner” and said his experience running Pindar Vineyards gave him a long view of balancing growth with preservation. “I believe in protecting what we have while planning for what’s ahead,” he said, but warned that parts of the proposed zoning code “would set our industry back 50 years.” He said limiting grape processing to Southold-grown fruit “is not realistic, and that’s not how agriculture works.” A board member of several regional industry groups, Damianos said he’d bring “a common-sense, balanced and business-friendly voice” to the board. “Community truly means service, teamwork and accountability,” he said, quoting his late father: “You can talk about change all you want, but you have to have a seat at the table to make it happen.”

Working waterfront

Question: “Suffolk County has passed legislation to support working waterfronts. Do you believe this is good for Southold, and what can the trustees’ role be in supporting Southold’s strong tradition of working waterfronts?”

Republican Nathan Andruski called it “a very fitting question for me, because I am a commercial fisherman,” saying he feels “every day the headwinds we face as a commercial fisher.” He praised the county legislation as “a much-needed boost” but warned that “the biggest challenge… is dockage — affordable dockage.” “Almost every one of our ramps are just piles of rubble,” he said. “There’s no dock, there’s no way to land.” He said he would advocate for repairs and improved access “for everyone in the maritime industry,” adding, “It’s something we could get started on day one.”

Democrat Joseph Finora opened with humor — “They say dress for the job, so I wore my sailboat tie tonight” — before recounting a career “spent working on the waters.” A Mattituck native and former marine engineer and commercial diver, Finora said, “No one here knows working waterfront like I do.” His résumé includes “a master’s degree in maritime systems, a bachelor’s in civil engineering, and ten years traveling with the U.S. Navy as a contractor.” Now an oyster farmer in Peconic Bay, he said, “The North Fork — particularly Southold Town — has a heritage and a pedigree, not only for farming, but also for fishing and mariculture.”

Administrative races

The evening closed with one-minute pitches from candidates for Town Clerk, Highway Superintendent, Town Justiceand Tax Assessor— brief but revealing windows into their priorities and tone.

Town Clerk

Dennis Noncarrow, the Repubican incumbent, said his proudest public-service moments came during the pandemic, when “all these businesses were just told to stop one day.” He recalled working “day and night” with chambers and small businesses to secure grants and “figure out how to keep their employees there.” “God bless these businesses,” he said. “The people of this organization got us through.”

Abigail Field, the Democratic challenger framed the clerkship as a job interview. “You’re employers,” she told voters. “If you hire me, I’ll open the office for more hours without raising costs.” She pledged to post board-meeting summaries, review office procedures, and improve communication. “Consider us as employees,” she said. “Please vote for me, Abigail Field, on Nov. 4.”

Highway Superintendent

Dan Goodwin, the Democratic incumbent, seeking re-election, called the role “a tremendous responsibility I do not take lightly.” He said his four-year record includes “150 new drainage systems, 45 miles of roadway paved, 40 outfalls removed and two miles of sidewalk replaced.” Goodwin said his focus on “efficiency and transparency” has guided long-term, “tax-neutral” planning.

Greg Schlachter, the Republican challenger, a lifelong Southold resident, said he’s “spent over 40 years working in heavy equipment, construction and road maintenance.” Having worked for the town highway department for a decade, he promised a “proactive, responsive and accessible” approach. “You deserve a department that’s easy to reach,” he said. “I’ll make sure our roads are safe, clean and reliable year-round.”

Town Justice

Eileen Powers, the Republican Town Justice, who is running unopposed, said her 33 years in law have been guided by one principle: “Do the right thing, the right way, for the right reason.” The longtime Southold justice and former Suffolk County prosecutor said, “Everyone in my courtroom is treated fairly, regardless of who you are or what political party you belong to. I believe in the rule of law — and I will always stand up for it.”

Tax assessor

Alina Sanders, speaking for her husband — Republican incumbent Charles Sanders, a Lieutenant Colonel in the New York Army National Guard who is currently deployed overseas — said he “serves with the same loyal integrity he brings to our home.” She said he takes his work seriously. “Each assessment isn’t just property value — it’s someone’s home, family and history.” She asked voters to re-elect him, calling his leadership “service, sacrifice and steadfast commitment to this town.”

Leah Tillman Sullivan, a Democratic challenger, said her career in public service, from congressional aide to Chamber of Commerce director, prepared her for the job. “I learned how to listen, problem-solve and deliver results,” she said. “I’ll bring fairness, professionalism and accountability to the assessor’s office.”

Ken Poliwoda, a Republican challenger, described himself as “a numbers guy” who believes “when we open those tax bills, those numbers should be lower.” A former trustee and longtime real-estate professional, he said his experience “assessing property values for 20 years” makes him ready to serve.

Dana Forlenza, a Democratic challenger, a Mattituck native and insurance agent, said her work calculating “replacement costs of local homes” gives her practical knowledge for fair assessments. “Southold Town is part of who I am,” she said. “I want to give back by using the skills I’ve honed to serve residents and business owners better.”